Today at Sestri Ponente shipyard there was the ceremony to mark the technical launch of the Carnival Splendor, a passenger ship due for delivery in Spring 2008 for Carnival Cruise Lines, the U.S. brand of the Carnival Group, the world’s leading operator in the cruise sector.

Present at the ceremony were the Director of the shipyard, Attilio Dapelo, and, representing the owner, the Vice President of Carnival Corporation, Richard Haslam-Jones.
Mons. Luigi Molinari, responsible for pastoral care in the world of work in Genoa, blessed the ship and Laura Adofaci, a Fincantieri Passenger Area Supervisor, acted as godmother.

The 113.500-ton Carnival Splendor is 290 metres long and has 1,638 cabins, including 52 suites, and a passenger capacity of 4,914, comprising 3,734 guests and 1,180 crew members.
One of the main innovations on board the Carnival Splendor will be the “Spray Park”, a water fun park for children.
Sestri Ponente shipyard, which has a workforce of 900, is currently also building the Costa Pacifica, due for delivery in summer 2009, and two super-luxury 65,000-ton cruise ships for Oceania Cruises, due for delivery within autumn 2010 and summer 2011.